The weekend was okay… but Sunday night and early Monday morning was rough, to say the least. At about 10:30pm, Mama called me and asked was I asleep. I responded not yet… and then her tone changed. Usually, I can read her so well, I would know when something is wrong but strangely this time, that was not the case…

She was going to need an emergency blood transfusion because of her low hemoglobin count. The information hit me like a slap in the face, but surprisingly I remained calm on the phone. On the other hand, being the inquisitor I am, I began to bombard her with questions. After realizing, I was making Mama nervous, I took a deep breath, apologized and listened. In shock, Mama provided me with little information so I began to ask more questions, but this time in a more calm, yet concerned manner. At the time, the doctor wanted her to go to the hospital early Monday morning. I asked her had she called Dot (her sister, my aunt) about the news. She replied no and I immediately asked why. Sometimes Mama thinks she is a inconvenience… I strongly assured her that she needed to call the house phone instead of cell phone because this is an emergency no matter what time of day. Mama then called Dot and I hung up.

I called JT immediately after hanging up with my Mama. I was still maintaining my composure at this point… I explained the situation to the best of my ability to JT. He started to tell me about possible alternatives to transfusions; meanwhile, all the technical terms began to overwhelm me. I did not do so while in my pre-med biology course… Anyway, a few minutes later, Mama called me back to tell me that she did get a hold of Dot and Dot decided it would be best to take her to the hospital that night instead of waiting until the morning. The doctor explained to Mama that her hemoglobin count was so low that she could not understand how Mama was able to walk around still. Another not so lucky person may have fainted or worse… had a heart attack with such a low count. Now at this point, I could feel myself getting emotionally weak inside. I tried to stay strong, really I did. I called Dot, to verify that she was about to leave then I called JT on three way so that he could tell Dot about the possible plasma alternatives. After disconnecting JT from the call, I talked with Dot for a couple of minutes. I needed some reassurance from her that things were going to be okay. I started breaking down inside more… When I hung up, the tears began to fall.

Do you know how difficult it is to not focus on the past when you know something could have been prevented? But I should not do that… I need to focus on the future because anything otherwise would not be fair to my Mama or myself.

I was fixing an Italian Parmesan Hamburger Helper as the tears flowed down my swollen red face. I thanked God over and over because my Mama has been so strong to be in the condition that she is. Her hemoglobin count is low… hemo what? Any other time I would dash to my computer and googlize a term that I do not know so well. This time I did not have the strength, at least not at the moment. As I sniffed the garlic, pepper, minced onions (and whatever else I grabbed) cooking with the ground turkey… I dazed away. My mind dazes a lot when I am deep in thought and I am not always aware of this. Usually someone is pointing it out to me…

I left the kitchen to blow my nose and attempt get myself together. Tigger meowed in the background, anxious for a late night meal. He began to pay attention to me crying and walking back and forth in the hallway without focus. His meows decreased and Tigger rubbed on my leg, back and forth to show his concern. By the time JT had arrived home, I decided to research the terminology on the internet. In the few minutes that I researched, I did gain a bit of understanding on her condition (she is anemic). I called Dot to find out the status of the trip to the hospital. They were now in route to the hospital. I asked for the directions, but Dot was not entirely certain of them from my location. I googled the hospital and pulled up MapQuest with the quickness to obtain the directions. The supportive man that he always is, JT was ready to take me to see my Mama.

We arrived at the hospital at about midnight (Monday morning). To my surprise, Mama looked very well, just tired and she had a slight yellowish skin tone. Seeing her face to face relieved a great deal of my emotional distress. When they drew some blood from Mama for the lab test, I did get a little queasy inside, but I remained strong because I just had to know every little thing that they were doing to my Mama. I am noisy, observant, investigative and inquisitive… all wrapped in one!! Later… I would have to admit that seeing the nurse stab my mother with the needle (to no avail), searching for a vein in her right hand, causing my Mama great pain, gave me the heebie jeebies. I quickly grabbed Mama’s hand to comfort her. Another nurse later came in and found the vein with no problem, in the left hand. Then Ruby, the first nurse, hooked up the saline solution thingy up to Mama’s left hand. JT and I still had a few concerns with the procedures and possible alternatives. I left a message for Mama’s doctor to get clarification, and to my surprise she called back fairly quick. Note that, on my voice mail that I left for her, I did identify myself… When she called back, I identified myself again and Dr. P. began to tell my why the transfusion was so important. I asked questions to understand more and she began to talk down to me and then asked to speak to my Mama. Now I was highly pissed off by this and even more pissed after Mama verbally gave permission for me to ask questions to Dr. P. I get mad defensive when people try to talk down to me. I told myself to calm down though and I was cool when I got back on the phone with Dr. P. Her attitude changed for the better as I asked her a couple of more questions and I was then satisfied with the information provided. The transfusion was necessary and no other methods would not be sufficient because the hemoglobin counts were extremely low. Mama was in dire need of red blood cells and going to receive three or four pints of blood.

They started the transfusion at about 2:15am… we were now two hours and fifteen minutes into Aunt Dot’s birthday.

JT, Dot and I were all hypnotized by the flow of blood and saline in the tubes and as it began to flow into Mama’s hand, Dot and I bombarded her with these questions: how does it feel, does it feel weird, do you feel any changes. We basically asked the same question in ten different ways. When the mood settled down in the room, this brought my mind to ease a bit. I must have told Mama I love you at least fifty times that night. I am a very affectionate person with my loved ones and even more so when the not so good things in life go down. Hugs, kisses, I love yous… everything… I keep a full supply of them.

At about 2:45am, JT, Dot and I left the hospital after we were certain that things were in order.

Throughout Monday, Mama received a total of four pints of blood. Afterward the nurse monitored her vitals and that night, Dot took Mama home. Mama says her energy has drastically increased, she is feeling much better and is currently resting at home. There are other health issues going on, but let us take one step at a time…

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